2. Kaiju from Pacific Rim (2013), various others

While not a monumental success, Mexican director Guillermo del Toro’s “monster opus” explored not only larger-than-life, unique kaijus from another dimension, but humanity, as well. (Awww, isn’t that nice?) But mostly it was larger-than-life, unique kaijus from another dimension. Pacific Rim brought the fight as close to an enormous, conquering leviathan as ever before on film through people-piloted Jaegers. Del Toro’s attention to detail and characterization make the picture an especially memorable experience as the film is devoid of cookie-cutter, default monsters. While the concept of “kaiju” in the original sense of the Japanese term applies to just about any beast, creature, or monster, the western understanding of the term is limited to the behemoths depicted in Tokosatsu (meaning “special filming” or a reference to the special effects used to bring the monsters to life on screen).